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Skrizzly Adams on the ‘Tipping Point’ of big things

Originally published on November 18, 2015 – 3:19 PM on Examiner.com

The innovative artistry of Skrizzly Adams has been garnering attention since the release of his debut EP ‘Stains‘ released in the Spring of 2014. It’s not often that an artist captures attention on first listen of their music, and then holds it for the duration of their debut EP. But Skrizzly did just that, bringing to the table intelligent lyrics and an innovative fusion of genres. It wasn’t an IF Skrizzly Adams would get discovered and signed, but merely a when.

It didn’t surprise me recently to discover that it was the intuitive minds at AtlanticRecords, (personally one of my favorite labels to work with), that signed Adams’ record deal. It has not been since I first heard Skrizzly’s now labelmate Ed Sheeran, and interviewed him, that I have been so sure of artistic quality and the ability to deliver timeless music for years to come. Ed Sheeran has proven platinum to the music industry, and I believe it is only a matter of time before Skrizzly Adams does the same.

I was excited to hear from Skrizzly last week, and the progress his career has made over the last year or so! We sat down for a candid conversation to catch up on all the things he has going on to end 2015 with a bang, which includes a slot opening for Elle King on tour starting tomorrow! It all has promise to catapult his music into the bright lights of the industry in 2016 and beyond!

Marian: A lot has happened for you in your music career since we first talked in 2014. Catch me up on the details of signing with Atlantic, and your plans to close out 2015!

Skrizzly Adams: So back in April 2014 I independently released my debut EP, Stains, which I was very lucky to have you cover in a great write up. I guess word of the EP made its way over to the good people at Atlantic, one thing led to another and by the end of 2014 we had closed a deal that we were all really excited about. Since then, I’ve been working intensely on my debut album. I’ve really put my heart and soul into it and couldn’t be more excited about all the music I have in store. I just released my first song as a signed artist, “Tipping Point” on November 11th and am gearing up to head out on a North American tour with the amazing Elle King.

M: Let’s talk about your new single ‘Tipping Point’. Will this be the official lead single for the new EP you are working on?

SA: ‘Tipping Point’ is not the official lead single for the new EP, but people seem to really be digging it, so I think it could have some serious life to it before we get to the official single. I’m extremely grateful to all the amazing supporters I have that are really rallying behind “Tipping Point”.

M: What can you disclose about the EP itself? Is it more a collection of songs, or is there a central theme?

SA: Can’t say too much about the upcoming EP, but it’s definitely cohesive and built around a central theme. It’s ultimately giving the listener a taste of the album to come.

M: How much of the writing and producing are you doing on the new music?

SA: I’m responsible for 100% of the writing of the new music and co-produced all of it thus far with Ken Lewis and Brent Kolatola, whom I worked with previously on ‘Me and You’.

M: Do you have a rough idea on EP title? Release date?

SA: I can’t speak on either quite yet.

M: Do you have plans to collaborate with anyone?

SA: No definite plans at the moment, but I’m excited to see some collaborations take form in 2016.

M: Tell us about your upcoming tour with Elle King, will you playing any of the new music? Will it be a solo set, or will you have a band backing you?

SA: I’m so pumped about this upcoming tour with Elle King! I opened for her back in July at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and it was so much fun. She’s an amazing performer and the energy of the room and the fans that night was incredible. So I’m excited to be able to re-live that experience almost every night for a few weeks. The majority of my set will contain new/unreleased material. I feel like it’s always good to test the waters with that stuff and see how it really translates with the people. I will be performing solo acoustic, which is different from what I usually do with my band. I’m excited to put songs on display in a different kind of light and create a more intimate experience with the audience. It’s gonna be epic!

M: You’ve persevered through a lot as an artist already to get to this point in your career. What advice would you give to other aspiring artists and bands?

SA: Always have a vision. Imagine the finish line, even if it seems ridiculous at the moment. All the difficult tasks that lie along the way will merely be stepping stones if you have a vision for the grand outcome.

M: Looking back, to date what has been one (or several) of the key elements to achieving the success you have so far?

SA: Probably my tenacity. I’ve always just kept going and never stopped working. But really it’s been all of those people along that way that have taken a chance on something different by supporting me and my music, that has been the driving force.